River cruise decision

Daytime or evening jazz cruise: which fits your New Orleans trip better?

The core decision is usually not which boat sounds better; it is when you want the river experience to sit in your day. A daytime sailing preserves the evening for other plans, while an evening cruise can become the centerpiece of the night. Exact sailings and meal options must be confirmed during booking.

What matters most

  • Choose daytime when you want to keep dinner and nightlife flexible afterward.
  • Choose evening when you want the river cruise itself to anchor your nighttime plans.
  • Meal inclusions and seating choices vary by product and booking option; do not assume every cruise includes food.
  • Check boarding and departure times before pairing a cruise with another timed tour on the same day.

Bookable starting points

River cruise options to compare

Start with daypart and format, then confirm the specific sailing, meal option, boarding time, pricing and availability with the operator.

Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River

Daytime Jazz Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing daytime cruise on the Mississippi River with live jazz.

Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River

Evening Jazz Cruise

Experience the Mississippi River at night with live jazz and stunning city views.

Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River

Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise

A festive Sunday morning on the river featuring a jazz brunch.

City of New Orleans riverboat on the Mississippi River
Photo: David Brossard, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

CITY of NEW ORLEANS Riverboat Cruise

A 75-minute riverboat cruise offering a quick and scenic tour of the Mississippi River.

Keep narrowing the decision

Tour operators control departure times, pricing, pickup details, age rules, availability and cancellation terms. Confirm the current details during booking.